Columbia Professor hopes "a million Mogadishus" are visited on U.S. Troops

National Review Online ^ | March 28, 2003 | Matthew Continetti

[Anamensis]

Teach-In, Turn On, Walk Out
The ins and outs of the antiwar movement.

n the spring of 1968, antiwar activists protesting American military action in Indochina besieged Columbia University's historic Low Library, the massive, Romanesque space designed by McKim, Mead, and White which houses the offices of university administrators. Thirty-five years later, Low Library still contains the offices of university administrators. But today, antiwar activists are welcomed inside.

Such was the case on Wednesday night, when hundreds of Columbia students braved long lines and rain for a chance to witness a faculty-led "teach-in" on the Iraq crisis. I was one of them. And judging from the monolithically antiwar attitude of the speakers — and the uproarious applause that greeted criticism of the war and of the Bush administration — I was a pro-war minority of one.

The teach-in, organized by the Columbia Anti-War Coalition in conjunction with leading faculty members (among them historians Eric Foner and Alan Brinkley and law professor Patricia Williams), included over 20 presentations from faculty members on topics including international law, humanitarian aid, and the reconstruction of Iraq.

While some presentations — notably those of political scientist Gary Sick and historian Charles Armstrong — took a dispassionate, scholarly attitude toward the events in the Middle East and elsewhere, most of the lecturers simply argued that George W. Bush, not Saddam Hussein, poses the greatest threat to world peace and security...(snip)

At times, the scene resembled a sporting event. Thunderous applause and whistles greeted anthropology professor Nicholas De Genova's sick desire that "a million Mogadishus" be visited on U.S. soldiers fighting in Iraq. And then there's Roger Normand, an adjunct professor at Columbia's School for International and Public Affairs and director of the lefty Center for Economic and Social Rights. Normand took the podium to yell, "Let's see if we can make some noise in this auditorium," and began a call-and-response, "We Will Rock You"-style chant with the capacity crowd.

It became clear over the course of the six-hour teach-in that antiwar activists and intellectuals care little, if at all, about Iraq. There were few direct references to Saddam Hussein. What the antiwar professors do care about is the Bush administration. "A coup d'etat brought us to this path," said Todd Gitlin, professor of journalism and author of Letters to a Young Activist. "Our most cogent obligation is to assure that George W. Bush is not in office in 2005." ...(snip)...

"I live under an unelected government," said Bruce Robbins, a professor of English and Comparative Literature. In Robbins's view, apparently, not all wars are equally evil: "I fantasize," he said, "about being liberated by a European invasion."

I bet he does. -Anamensis

Comparisons of the Bush administration with Nazi Germany and other totalitarian, imperialist powers were also common. "We must talk in order to remind the tyrants who have ignored the consent of the governed," said Barbara Fields, a professor of history. "Our leaders have given the finger to the millions who have demonstrated against the war." Professor Normand quoted Nuremberg prosecutor Robert L. Jackson, essentially equating Donald Rumsfeld with Hermann Goering. And political scientist Jack Snyder found room in his speech to compare the Bush administration with, in chronological order, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm, Hitler, and Tojo.

But what may have been most interesting about the teach-in was what the speakers persistently ignored. Not a single speaker mentioned the fact that a majority of the American public supports military action in Iraq. Only one speaker mentioned that the president obtained congressional authorization to use military force last year. And not a single professor answered, or even acknowledged, the question of whether Saddam Hussein would constitute a threat against innocents in the Middle East, the United States, and elsewhere were he to obtain nuclear weapons or provide weapons of mass destruction to terrorist proxies. Professor Robbins even claimed that "There is no threat [from Iraq] to prevent."

— Matthew Continetti is a student at Columbia University.

       

[Revolting cat!]

Sometimes a refresh will fix it. Here's the link anyway:
http://www.prdream.com/patria/centro/02_26/img/degenova.jpg

[Ga Rob]

This is the email I just sent to this piece of $h!t. He is at the top of my list of people who I get to punch in the mouth no matter what he may even get more........I am livid, I believe I may leave work. I don't get emotional very often but this has brought up some terrible memories.

Dear Hater of the Men who defend your right to hate them fervently-

There has been a report that you said at a gathering of "anti-war" fellow travelers,
"a million Mogadishu's" be visited on U.S. soldiers fighting in Iraq? Did you say this sir? I would like to know how you defend that statement? I will tell that you do not. I have friends who are no longer with us, 3 to be exact, who died at Mogadishu. You are a vile human being. You spew hate, it's funny though because you are a coward! I dare to say you would not spew this hate for your country at any gathering other than one with your fellow useful idiots. I venture to say you would not say this to my face or any other Ranger or any veteran for that matter. Because you know what would happen to you. You live in your academic bubble, you have no idea what the reality of real lives is all about. I guess the whole adage is correct, "those who can't do,teach". Unfortunately you do not teach anyone, your are an indoctrinator. Your "university" is nothing but a communist reeducation center.

I know you do not care, but the American people are becoming aware of who you and your ilk are. Your socialist, communist, elitist dream was dead long ago. The dirt is finally being thrown on the grave, by you sir. The people's memories that you besmirch have a large network of support. Your comments will be in the mainstream media very soon.

Thank you very much for completing the job of destroying the dream of world socialism and totalitarian communism started by men who you could never dream to even compare to. Men of principle and moral clarity.

HAVE A PAINFUL DEATH YOU SON OF A BITCH!!

[metalboy]

That guys a Professor? he looks like Jeff Spicollis stoner friend or something

[AlmightySR]

"Doesn`t this fall under some law while we are at war?? Here`s one law I found!"

Your right is "freedom for speech" goes out the window during war time according to this. Thats the problem they all hide behind the first.

[Anamensis]

I can't get to the link either. Must be a server thing. Oh well, thanks for trying!

[Ga Rob]

I KNEW IT!!! I JUST KNEW IT!!! WHAT A LITTLE LIMP WRISTED PINKO FAIRY!!!! UUGGGHHHH!!!

[Steve0113]

Yes, and his home address as well.

I'm pretty sure that's illegal.

[Cachelot]

web info I could find on this lovely individual

Another piece of info that would be interesting: is he an American, or a "guest academic"? Is there some other country he should really be in (apart from Sudan, that is)?

[metalboy]

Here`s a link that describes the Espionage act of 1917

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWespionage.htm

I think it`s high time we use it again

[js1138]

I think most democrats would rather see us get creamed in Iraq than see Bush get re-elected.

[texson66]

Not sure its worth the effort!

[Cordova Belle]

Rush Limbaugh read an exerpt about this whole incident on his program in the 3rd hour. I hope that a number of his listeners will contact Columbia.

No doubt, somewhere along the line, your tax dollar and mine goes to help pay this treacherous professor's salary.

[Neckbone]

Rush Limbaugh read an exerpt about this whole incident on his program in the 3rd hour

I was really hoping he'd do that...

[TexanToTheCore]

The reason they can say these things without any real sanction is that academia no longer matters in America. They are, to a large extent, vocational teachers whose experience and learning have been discounted.

It was a different situation in the sixties, when academics were considered a valuable resource.

[BillyBonebrake]

I just found the good professor with a couple of clicks over at switchboard.com

[Neckbone]

They are, to a large extent, vocational teachers whose experience and learning have been discounted.

Agreed, but they still loudly indoctrinate our nation's youth. Which makes them dangerous.

[Neckbone]

I just found the good professor with a couple of clicks over at switchboard.com

Home address and phone number and all, looks like.

[Cinnamon Girl]

Why doesn't this so called professor sit down in the living room of a military family, invite other soldiers and their wives and children over, and explain to them that he hopes the soldiers are killed and never come home.

[dandelion]

Hey, leave a review for the "Professor" at Professor De Genova's Review Page! It's set up for the students, but I think they might enjoy hearing from a few others regarding De Genova's remarks...